Writing a Valentine's Day Card can be scary. Showing your love for someone who might not know this already, may frighten you. To many, writing and sending a Valentine's Day card is like a leap of faith. Not to worry, this guide will help you learn how to write a Valentine's Day Card that stands out as well as makes an impression on the target of your affection.

The origin of Valentine's Day is uncertain. It is celebrated on February 14, and honors two Christian martyrs, called Valentine of Romehttp://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintv06.htm, and Valentine of Terni http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintv90.htm. Their memory became romantically linked during the high middle ages (11th to 13th century). Gifts often linked to Valentine’s Day are heart shaped chocolate boxes, perfume, roses, and of course greeting cards.http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-dayhttp://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm

So, how to write a Valentine's Card yourself? There are a few steps to this:

1. Selecting the proper Valentine's Day Card.
2. Thinking up the text to write
3. Write the card
4. Sending your Valentine’s Day Card

If successful, you may end up with your valentine by your side. if it fails...well, at least you know you tried.

Before you can write a card, you need to pick the right one. There is a large range of pre-printed Valentine’s Cards from Hallmark, there are online e-cards, but if you really want to make an expression (and are somewhat crafty), you can create a Valentine’s Day Card yourself. If you and the person you want to send the card to already do some activities together, you can create a card from a photo of either the two of you together, or from the other person alone. There are numerous sites that allow you to upload a digital photo, and have it printed as a greeting card. Often, you can even add a text to the card, and maybe (if you feel really creative), you can edit the photo before having it printed.

Whatever method you choose (electronic card, pre-printed card or custom printed card), consider the following:

1. If you use a specific photo, this will very probably identify you as the sender of the card. If you want to remain anonymous, you have to be extra careful in selecting the card.
2. Sending an electronic card can appear ‘cheap’. It is a modern way of sending cards, and very common for younger generations, but it will probably make less of an impression than a hand-selected, handwritten card.
3. Make sure the card you select matches your personality and the relation you have (or want to have) with the person. Also, the card and the text you are going to add to it have to be in line. You can select a funny card, but if you are going to add a very serious/romantic text to it, the message is going to be confusing.
4. If you feel creative, you can also create a card (of any size!) composed of photos of your valentine, or of the two of you together.

You have your Valentine’s Day Card, and now have to come up with a good, catchy text to add to it. This text will be different for when you write it to someone you are not romantically involved with yet, than when you send it to someone you’ve been married to for ten years.

Consider the following when thinking up a good Valentine’s Day Card text:

1. Think of why you adore your Valentine. What is it that makes you smile, what does (s)he make you think of.
2. Think of some shared memories. What is your link to your valentine? Meaning what movies have you seen together, what would you tell someone else about the two of you? What is his/her favorite song, restaurant?
3. What can you remember of your first encounter?
4. If you have photos of the two of you, go through them, and try to see what memories they bring back.
5. If you have some souvenir of an event you join together, you can also just send that, with or without text. If you have a pebble of your first holiday together, include that in the envelope.
6. For the creative amongst us: A poem works wonders. If you can write poetry, this is highly advisable.
7. It’s the effort that counts. Your valentine will mostly appreciate gifts that show it has taken effort. A simple card with a poem created by you will impress much more than an expensive trinket.

You now have your card, and know what you’re going to put on it. You now have to make sure you can write the text on the card without spelling errors or strike-throughs. It is highly advisable to write down your intended text on a separate piece of paper, and practice what you want to write several times.

After you’ve written it, re-read a couple of times, to ensure the text is exactly as you want it to be. Then, make sure you sit straight, and on an uncluttered desk. This ensures you can write your card without obstruction. If you don’t feel comfortable, you can also write it on a separate piece of paper, cut it to match your card, and glue it on the card, but writing directly on the card is preferred.

If you want to remain anonymous, here are some things to consider, which might give you away. Just remember that if your valentine can’t trace you, you won’t get to know whether your affection is returned. If you still want to hide your identity, post the card from somewhere else. If you live nearby, send it through the mail, from another town (preferably some distance away).

1. Use some perfume on the card. The scent will set the mood of your Valentine even before the envelope is opened.
2. If you live within traveling distance, make the effort of the delivering the card yourself.
3. If confronted by your valentine about whether you sent the card, admit that you did. This is what you wanted, right? You expressed your affection, and now it’s up to your valentine to decide what to do with it.